The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted that comments by Sam Okudzeto, former president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) is a threat on the life of President John Mahama.
Sam Okudzeto Monday warned the president against pardoning the jailed Montie three, saying President Mahama’s compliance to the pardon calls will mark his own funeral.
A statement signed by the party General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, stated that "the NDC considers this statement from Mr. Okudzeto not only as a threat to President Mahama’s life but also, a danger to the very foundation of the country’s Constitution, the people, and democracy, especially when such baseless and dangerous pronouncement is coming from a supposed seasoned and experienced legal practitioner of no mean repute.”
The statement also said the Police must invite the former president of the GBA for questioning.
“While condemning this unfortunate statement in no uncertain terms, the NDC also calls on the Police and the security agencies to invite Mr. Okudzeto to answer for such reckless and irresponsible statement since it is pregnant with unimaginable provocation to lawlessness and chaos,” it said.
Mr. Okudjeto on Monday warned the president against pardoning the jailed Montie three, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase alias ‘Mugabe’ saying President Mahama’s compliance to the pardon calls will mark his own funeral.
“They threatened judges, which are a criminal offence, they [Attorney General] refused to prosecute the people and now should he (Mr. Mahama) free them that is going to be his own funeral,” Okudzeto said.
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“…What lesson will he be telling the people of Ghana; that if people commit a criminal offence, because they are his party people, therefore, he should go and pardon them? Is that a proper way to administer the pardon? That is my view,” he added.
The petition book was opened by pro-government group Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) to collect signatures of Ghanaians to implore the president to free Salifu Maase aka Mugabe, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn.
The three were sentenced to four months imprisonment by the Supreme Court following contempt proceedings against them.
The contempt proceedings came after the three threatened the Supreme Court judges who sat on the Abu Ramadan and Gary Nimako versus the Electoral Commission case.
Below is the full statement from the NDC
NDC CONDEMNS STATEMENT BY SAM OKUDJETO
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted with concern and disappointment the reaction of Mr. Sam Okudjeto a private legal practitioner, at public pleas to the President, John Dramani Mahama to invoke Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution to free the Montie trio.
The Montie trio; Mr. Godwin Arko Gunn, Mr. Alistair Nelson and Mr. Salifu Maase were last week sentenced four months each in prison for scandalising the Supreme Court.
Mr. Okudjeto, who is supposed to be an accomplished legal practitioner, is vehemently opposed to the petition by lawyers of the trio and, pleas from civil society organizations, traditional rulers and a large section of the nation to President Mahama to pardon the convicts.
Mr. Okudjeto is reported to have said in a section of the media that any attempt or act by the President to pardon the three convicts would mean the President arranging his own funeral.
The NDC considers this statement from Mr. Okudjeto not only as a threat to President Mahama’s life but also, a danger to the very foundation of the country’s Constitution, the people, and democracy, especially when such baseless and dangerous pronouncement is coming from a supposed seasoned and experienced legal practitioner of no mean repute.
While condemning this unfortunate statement in no uncertain terms, the NDC also calls on the Police and the security agencies to invite Mr. Okudjeto to answer for such reckless and irresponsible statement since it is pregnant with unimaginable provocation to lawlessness and chaos.
Signed
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
General Secretary.